Haringey London Borough Council has been told it must make fundamental changes after the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) handed it a C4 consumer grade, according to the regulator. The grade follows an inspection that uncovered very serious failings in the north London authority's landlord services.

Key points

  • Repairs backlog — A large number of overdue repairs, including damp and mould cases, and only around half of non-emergency repairs completed on time in 2025/26.
  • Fire safety — Almost 4,000 remedial fire safety actions are overdue, with more than 1,400 of them classed as high risk.
  • Complaints and disclosure — The council failed to respond to complaints promptly and did not tell the regulator about significant issues that had emerged.

Although the council had shown it was willing to tackle the problems and had taken some steps, the RSH said it had not yet seen enough evidence that the authority understands the risk to tenants or can put things right. Tenants are still facing delays, missed appointments and poor communication, the regulator found, and satisfaction levels are low.

"We will maintain intensive engagement and close oversight, set clear expectations for improvement and, if necessary, use our powers to make sure change happens," said Kate Dodsworth, the RSH's deputy chief executive.

Two other councils received C3 grades in the same round of judgements. Tamworth Borough Council in Staffordshire was found to have serious failings, including gaps in how it reports hazards and oversees anti-social behaviour. Woking Borough Council in Surrey also received a C3, with weaknesses identified in completing overdue fire, water and asbestos remedial work and in handling anti-social behaviour and hate incidents. Both councils have engaged constructively with the regulator and are taking action.

Elsewhere, Irwell Valley Housing Association and The Pioneer Housing and Community Group Limited both received C1 grades for their first inspections, while Karbon Homes, South Holland District Council and Tuntum Housing Association were upgraded to C1.

Editor's comment

What it means in practice

For Haringey tenants, the C4 grade is a formal warning rather than an immediate change to their tenancy. But it does mean the council will be under close scrutiny, and residents who have been waiting on repairs, wrestling with damp or chasing fire safety work should keep reporting problems and logging complaints — the regulator is watching how the council responds.

  • Repairs — Keep records of missed appointments and outstanding work; these feed into the regulator's assessment of progress.
  • Fire safety — If you live in a block with overdue remedial work, raise it with the council and your tenants' group.
  • Complaints — Use the council's formal complaints process first, as the regulator expects landlords to learn from complaints.